Sgt. Maj. Michael Starrett is a native of Dallas, Texas and he completed Basic Training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Gordon, Georgia.

Sgt. Maj. Starrett served in every leadership position from Team Chief to Command Sergeant Major. His assignments include 43rd Signal Battalion; 3/18 Field Artillery; 2/3 Field Artillery; 69th Signal Co, 504th Signal Battalion; B Company, 44th Expeditionary Signal Battalion; HHC, 44th Expeditionary Signal Battalion; HHC, 7th Theater Tactical Signal Brigade; First Sergeant, B Company, 67th Expeditionary Signal Battalion; First Sergeant, HHC, 7th Signal Command; Operations Sergeant Major, 35th Theater Tactical Signal Brigade; G6 Operations Sergeant Major, 7th Infantry Division; Battalion Command Sergeant Major, 51st Expeditionary Signal Battalion; and Garrison Command Sergeant Major, Fort Gordon, Georgia. His most recent assignment was as the Command Sergeant Major, 7th Signal Command (Theater), Fort Meade, Maryland. He also served two combat tours in Afghanistan, 2005-2006 and 2009-2010, in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.

Sgt. Maj. Starrett's education includes all levels of the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development System, the First Sergeant Course, Battalion and Brigade Pre-Command Course, Battalion and Brigade Command Sergeants Major Development Program, the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy (Class 65), and the Nominative Leader Course (Class 22-01). He also holds an Associate Degree in General Studies and a Bachelor’s Degree in Professional Studies, Business, and Management.

Sgt. Maj. Starrett's awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit (1-OLC), the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (3-OLC), the Army Commendation Medal (3-OLC), the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal (9th AWD), the National Defense Medal (1-BS), the Afghanistan Campaign Medal (4-CS), the Global War on Terrorism Campaign Medal, the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (numeral 5), the Overseas Service Ribbon (numeral 4), and the NATO Medal.